2018 LITERACYWORKS and Copperfield’s Books LECTURE SERIES
Congresswoman Barbara Lee in Conversation with Congresswoman Lynn Woolsey
Sunday, December 16, 2018
Carole L. Ellis Auditorium
680 Sonoma Mountain Parkway, Petaluma, CA 94952
2:45-4:00 PM
Congresswoman Barbara Lee was born in El Paso, TX. As a single mother raising two sons, she attended Mills College and received public assistance while building a better life for her family. Congresswoman Lee received her Masters of Social Work from the University of California, Berkeley. As a small business owner in the East Bay, Congresswoman Lee worked with people from all walks of life. In 1998, she was elected to serve California’s 9th congressional district (now the 13th) in a special election. She has long advocated for legislative action to end poverty. Her autobiography is Renegade for Peace and Justice: A Memoir of Political and Personal Courage.
Congresswoman Lynn C. Woolsey is a former U.S. Representative for California's 6th congressional district serving Marin County and Sonoma County from 1993 to 2013. Lynn focused on issues facing children, families, and education during her 20-year career in the U.S. House of Representatives.
$30.00 general admission. Tickets sales begin Monday, October 8th at 9AM.
Barbara Lee’s book Renegade for Peace and Justice: A Memoir of Political and Personal Courage will be available the day of the event for purchase.
Coming in January 2019 to kick-off our 2019 Lecture series:
author Dave Eggers.
Check out our growing list of speakers for 2019 at http://www.literacyworks.org/events.
The Center has been busy over the last few months conducting workshops, interviewing current students and introducing new students to the program. We have enrolled 100 students for the fall semester, our most significant number to date. Our students are taking courses that range from English as a Second Language, to Basic Skills classes in math and English, to a full load of transfer courses for the students that have been in the program for many years. We have introduced a new aspect of our support program. One of our staff interviews each student individually during the semester to get to know them better and to determine what their challenges are so we can provide additional support. During the spring semester interviews, we learned that one of our students lost her home in the Sonoma fires. Another student became homeless, and still, another was injured in a work-related accident. We were able to help these individuals and they completed the semester.
Some of the recent accomplishment of our students:
1. Three Center students graduated from Santa Rosa Junior College and transferred to a four-year university.
2. One student opened her own business.
3. One student received an Early Childhood Certificate.
4. More than eight students moved from non-credit ESL to credit level classes.
5. A number of students progressed from basic skills English classes to college-level English.
6. Two students are only one subject test away from completing their GED.
7. And two students had babies. All are doing well and continuing their studies.
The Center is partnering with the SRJC’s ‘Student Success Team’ (a student-run program promoting activities that help all students achieve their academic goals). They are offering workshops on time management, procrastination and how to conduct a job search among others. Center students are encouraged to participate.
Just before the fall semester began, the Center staff and many of the Literacyworks students participated in the SRJC’s ‘Circle of Honor,’ a grand celebration held under the oaks on the Santa Rosa campus and led by President Dr. Frank Chong. The event honors the scholarship donors and the students that are receiving an award, and it provides an opportunity for them to meet and express their appreciation for the support. We all had a wonderful time thanks to the Scholarship Office of the SRJC.
Student Voices
Here are some notes from our students showing their appreciation:
“As a mother of five children, I would like to be a role model for them and show them that life is not easy, but they can make their dreams possible and their goals reachable by furthering their education. I have no words to express the gratitude I feel for this program. Thank you so much!”
“I was raised in a foster home and education was not a priority. To survive was my main objective, so education looked far away and unreachable. I had doubts when I first applied for the Literacyworks Center; it sounded too good to be real. I know I have a lot to learn, but this has inspired me to continue my education."
“I would like to thank you with all my heart for helping people like me. You have motivated me to move forward. I am able to learn and accomplish my goals thanks to your support.”
“I work as a full-time preschool teacher, which gives me very little time to go to school and study. The Center has not only helped, financially but also created a connection. Literacyworks is always checking on me and giving support in any way they can (meetings, tutoring, emails, and phone calls). Due to this help, I am closer to my goal of obtaining my AA and becoming an interpreter.”
“As a mother of three beautiful children and wife of a dairy farm worker, I strive to do my very best. I am currently focusing on obtaining my ESL certificate, and later I will pursue the Vocational Nursing program with confidence of becoming an RN. Thank you again for your generosity and support. I promise I will work very hard and ultimately give something back to others once I become a nurse and an active member of my community.”
“I thank God for having you in my life at the right time. I truly appreciate your help. Thank you, because this helps and encourages me to push myself even more to make my dream of becoming a nurse come true. This opportunity shows that anything can be achieved if we work hard and that there are people like you who help us to achieve our goals. Thank you so much for helping students have brighter futures.”
“I would like to express my deepest appreciation to you for your financial support, through the Literacyworks program. I am a single mom of two, and I care for my grandma too while working full time as a preschool teacher. Because of your caring and generosity am able to attend Santa Rosa JC and accomplish my dream of obtaining a college degree. So on behalf of my family and I, thank you!”
“Thank you for helping me and giving me this opportunity to continue my educational goal. This really helps me and encourages me to keep going. As a first-generation Mexican-American student and a low-income family man, it is really difficult for my mother and me to survive in this world. This program has changed my life and has impacted it in many positive ways. I am blessed, and I promise I will not let you guys down. Thank You!
“I want to thank you. The Literacyworks award means more than you will ever know. It shows me that someone else believes that I can and will succeed, and gives me much encouragement to keep pressing forward with my education. It’s people like you that keep young people like me working hard because we know that someone is ready and willing to invest in our future."
“My goal is to pay it forward and offer help to someone who will be in my shoes in the future and bring them as much joy as you brought me. Bless your heart and thanks again."
“Your support means more than you will ever know. It shows me that someone else believes that I can and will succeed and give me much encouragement to keep pressing forward with my education. Thank you for investing in our futures!"
“It is comforting to know that there are altruistic people out there willing to lend a hand to others, and I am inspired to help others the way you have helped me. Studying engineering at SRJC is an incredible experience, as it is a step towards fulfilling my life goals. I cannot wait to demonstrate my abilities. Thank you!"
“The Literacyworks Center has granted me reassurance that there is help. With this help, I feel confident in continuing my journey to higher education and also serve as a role model for my children. Once again, thank you so much for this opportunity."
2018 Year-End Campaign
Today, we launched our 2018 Year-End Campaign. Our goal is to raise $50,000. This will allow us to reach our goal of supporting 110 motivated low-income, low literacy adults stay on our program each semester in 2019. We can’t do it without your help. Will you make a gift? To make your donation now, go to http://www.literacyworks.org/donate or mail a check made out to Literacyworks to:
Literacyworks
625 Second Street
Suite 107
Petaluma, CA 94952
Contact Elizabeth at elizabeth@literacyworks.org if you have any questions.
